The Thompson 1928, commonly known as the "Tommy Gun", is an American sub-machine gun, designed by John T. Thompson in 1919, that became the most infamous weapon during the Prohibition era. It was a common sight of the time, being used by law enforcement officers, criminals, and in World war 2, the British and Australian armies. The Thompson was also known informally as: the "Tommy Gun", the "Chicago Piano", the "Chicago Style", the "Chicago Organ Grinder", the "Chicago Typewriter," the "Chopper," and the "Chicago Violin."

Contents

Description

The Thompson was favored by soldiers, criminals and police alike for its ergonomics, compactness, large .45 ACP cartridge, and high volume of automatic fire and among civilian collectors for its historical significance.

Interestingly, semi-automatic versions are still available for public purchase from most gun merchants, as with most assault rifles and submachine guns. Original fully-automatic Thompsons which were privately owned prior to May 19th, 1986 can still be owned and transferred legally when the appropriate federal paperwork is submitted. Current values on such weapons range from $12,000 to over $24,000. In reality the weapons cyclic rate of 850+ rounds per minute resulted in each subsequent shot being higher than the last, as the operator would be unable to bring the muzzle back on target before firing again. Proper operation, then, requires short bursts of 2 or 3 rounds. Surprisingly, single rounds are easily fired, and make the weapon easy to use with considerable accuracy. To mitigate this "muzzle rise", Thompsons are often found equipped with a compensator attached to the end of the barrel. The compensator has slots, or "ports" along its top surface which allow a portion of the expanding gas behind the bullet to exit upwards a fraction of a second before the bullet exits the muzzle. This upward deflection pushes the muzzle downward, limiting muzzle climb by up to 40 percent. When fired from the shoulder, a compensator equipped Thompson allows for 3 bullets to the thoracic cavity, instead of the usual 2 (subsequent rounds will miss over the shoulder and to the right of the target if the shooter is right handed.)

Mafia: The City of Lost Heaven

In game it has been used by gangsters on Salieri's and Morrello's crime families as well as the LHPD on higher wanted levels. The first time you encounter this weapon in the mission Ordinary Routine where it can be found in one of the bedrooms at Clark's Motel and it is used by the gangster behind the counter. Later it is used in The Priest where a man is trying to shoot the player from a balcony. In the mission Omerta, the Thompson is also used by the FBI who are trying to protect Frank. It can be used in almost every mission from then.

Gameplay

It has a 50 round drum magazine and Tommy can carry 200 rounds (4 magazines) with him. It has high recoil, but with time player can learn how to manage it. The best way to do this is to fire in bursts. However, nearly the whole magazine can be fired at targets in one burst if the player aims at their first target's feet and lets it pull up. This will likely kill the first target as around 5 rounds will hit them. It can then, after about the seventh shot, be easily pulled down and controlled, therefore circumnavigating the immense recoil. It can be also used as a long range weapon, but with a lot lower damage if one is careful enough. It should be noted that player should be very careful when encountering an enemy with a Thompson at a close range as it does a high damage per round which isn't a problem at long range.

Specifications

Produced: 1921–present (Designed 1919)

Cartridge: .45 ACP (11.43 × 23 mm)

Effective Range: 160 feet (50 meters)

Feed System: 50-round drum magazine

Weight: 10.8 pounds (4.9 kilograms) empty (M1928A1)

Mafia II

The Tommy Gun returns in the sequel and the developers said that it wouldn't be a mafia game without the classic gangster weapon. The M1A1 Thompson has also been seen in the game, however it serves as the law enforcement equivalent of the 1928, having the same power, recoil and fire rate, the only differences being the magazine size and the guns accuracy.

Gameplay

This weapon can be bought illegally by the player, from Chapter 7 onwards, at Harry's Shop, due to the fact that civilians are prohibited to buy and own automatic weapons during this period.

Just like in the previous games it has a high, but still manageable recoil and it holds 50 rounds in it's drum magazine. Vito can carry a total amount of 200 rounds, which means four full magazines. It takes the upper section of weapon HUD sharing it with M1A1 Thompson.

Trivia

In reality, the M1928 Thompson has an extremely higher rate of fire, emptying a 50 round drum magazine in less than 5 seconds. The rate of fire in both games are lower most likely for balancing purposes.

This is Joe's weapon of choice, as he is seen wielding it in almost every gunfight.

It is unusual that this weapon does not share ammunition with the M1A1 Thompson, as the two actually use the same round, the .45 ACP. However this makes sense from a gameplay point of view, because if the weapons shared an ammunition supply the 1928's larger magazine size and higher rate of fire would render the M1A1 useless. It is also worth noting the real 1928's drum magazine could not be used with the M1A1 (although the 30-round stick magazine used by the M1A1 was compatible with the older 1928).

Upon closer inspection, it fires from a closed bolt rather than a real life open bolt. When Vito/Jimmy/Joe reloads, he actually pulls the charging handle to open the bolt, but stills fires closed.